New research suggests that talking about simple math during everyday interactions with your child can help them develop a stronger understanding of math concepts.
A recent meta-analysis by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of California, Irvine reviewed 22 studies from 2010 to 2022 and found a strong link between parents’ math talk and children’s math abilities, particularly during preschool, according to an article in The Hechinger Report.
In these studies, researchers observed parent-child interactions in homes, schools, and museums, recording instances where parents brought up numbers or shapes. They then tested the children’s math skills and found that those who scored higher often had parents who incorporated more math into their conversations.
This link was most pronounced between ages three and five, indicating that early childhood is critical for building math skills. During these years, parents who naturally incorporated math concepts into conversations had children with stronger math abilities. For example, simply asking a child to count objects during everyday activities or discussing the shapes of items can create a foundation for math success. In contrast, parents who did not engage in as much math talk tended to have children with lower math achievement.
Interestingly, this connection between math talk and math achievement diminished as children got older, likely because formal school instruction plays a more significant role in their learning. However, the early foundation provided by parents seems to set the stage for future math success.
A Simple and Accessible Tool
It’s important to note that none of these studies definitively prove that math talk alone improves math skills. Families who engage more in math talk may also have other advantages, such as higher income, more education, and access to enriching experiences like museums or extracurricular activities.
However, the researchers believe that math talk is a simple, accessible way for parents to boost their children’s math abilities without the need for specialized tools or tutoring. “What the research is showing at this point is that talking more about math tends to be associated with better outcomes for children,” explained Alex Silver, a psychologist at the University of Pittsburgh who led the meta-analysis. “It’s an easy way to bring math concepts into your day-to-day life that doesn’t require buying special equipment or setting aside time to tutor your child and teach them arithmetic.”
The studies also suggest that parents should aim to keep math talk natural and integrated into their everyday activities rather than turning to flashcards or structured exercises. Children seem to benefit most when parents bring up math concepts as part of their normal conversations. For example, while preparing dinner, a parent might ask, “We need two eggs, but we’re doubling the recipe. How many eggs do we need now?” These kinds of interactions can make learning math fun and playful, which helps young children engage with the subject more meaningfully.
Six Ways You Can ‘Talk’ Math at Home
Incorporating “math talk” into everyday life can be an easy and natural way to support your child’s early math development without the need for structured lessons or workbooks. By simply engaging in conversations about numbers, shapes, and patterns, parents can help lay a strong foundation for math skills that will benefit their children in school and beyond. Here are some practical tips for incorporating math talk into daily activities:
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Count Objects in Everyday Life
Make counting a fun and frequent part of your day. Whether you’re at home, in the car, or out shopping, ask your child to count objects around them. For example:
- “Let’s count how many apples we’re putting in the bag.”
- “How many books are on the shelf?”
- “You have three toy cars; how many do you have if we add one more?”
This encourages early number recognition and helps children understand basic addition and subtraction in real-world contexts.
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Discuss Shapes and Spatial Relationships
Talking about shapes and spatial relationships is another great way to bring math into everyday conversations. Use playtime or everyday objects to engage your child in discussions about shapes, sizes, and positions. For instance:
- “This plate is round. Can you find something else that’s shaped like a circle?”
- “Let’s build a tower with these blocks. Which block is bigger? Which one is smaller?”
- “Where should we put this box? Should it go under the table or next to the chair?”
These conversations help children develop spatial reasoning skills, which are important for understanding geometry later on.
The kitchen is an ideal place for math talk. Cooking requires measuring, counting, and thinking about fractions, so it offers plenty of opportunities for natural math conversations. You can involve your child by asking questions like:
- “We need to measure two cups of flour. Can you help me pour it?”
- “The recipe says we need half a cup of sugar. What do you think half looks like?”
- “Let’s set the timer for 10 minutes. What time will it be when the timer goes off?”
Cooking together not only introduces math concepts but also makes math a part of your child’s routine, showing them how math is used in real-life situations.
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Play Number and Shape Games
Games are a fun and effective way to reinforce math skills. Simple games like “I Spy” can easily be turned into math-focused activities:
- “I spy with my little eye something that has three sides. What could it be?”
- “I spy something that has four corners. Can you find it?”
Board games that involve counting spaces, adding scores, or recognizing patterns (like dominoes) are also great ways to build math talk into playtime.
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Ask “How Many?” and “What’s Next?” Questions
Encourage your child to think mathematically by asking questions that involve prediction and problem-solving. These questions can help them understand numbers in relation to sequencing and operations:
- “You have four crackers. If you eat one, how many will you have left?”
- “We’re going to pick up three friends. How many people will be in the car altogether?”
- “What comes after the number six when we count?”
These types of questions challenge children to think critically about numbers and can spark conversations that enhance their understanding of math.
Time offers another opportunity to introduce math concepts to children. Discussing hours, minutes, and even days of the week can help your child develop a sense of sequencing and duration. You might say:
- “It’s 10 o’clock now. How many more hours until lunchtime?”
- “Let’s see how many minutes it takes to walk to the park. We’ll start the timer!”
- “Today is Monday. What day comes next?”
These conversations help children understand the concept of time, while also building their counting and sequencing skills.
